Method and apparatus for opt-in compliance with regulations

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

0001This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/825,915, filed Mar. 20, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/903,934, filed May 28, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,637,984. The entirety of these references is incorporated herein by reference for all intents and purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

0002The disclosed technique relates to opt-in compliance with regulations, such as prohibitions against certain behaviors. More particularly, the disclosed technique relates to approaches for obtaining opt-in from communication devices and/or users thereof to refrain from certain behaviors and/or to deactivate certain functions the communication devices themselves.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

0003Achieving compliance with regulations in particular areas is a longstanding problem. For example, as portable electronic devices become increasingly common, use of certain capabilities of such devices may be prohibited in some areas and circumstances as being inappropriate or even dangerous. Reasons for such regulations vary, but might include potential risks to safe operation of aircraft due to emissions from electronic devices, audible ring tones in restaurants and theaters creating a disturbance for other patrons, video recording of performances or other events violating copyright or privacy laws and/or presenting a nuisance for other attendees, etc.

0004Effectively achieving compliance with a prohibition against such behaviors, or more generally achieving compliance with other regulations, may be problematic. Simply prohibiting behaviors may prove insufficient to reliably achieve full compliance. Individually verifying compliance may be impractical in at least some situations. Unilaterally deactivating electronic devices and/or rendering them incapable of certain functions, such as by generating interference fields that block cell phone signals, may cause offense to users of the devices, and/or may be legally problematic in certain jurisdictions.

0005There is a need for an effective method and apparatus for obtaining user opt-in for compliance with prohibition of problematic behaviors, including but not limited to problematic capabilities of devices themselves.

SUMMARY

0006The disclosed technique contemplates a variety of systems, apparatus, methods, and paradigms for obtaining opt-in to compliance with regulation, including but not limited to opt-in deactivation of prohibited capabilities of electronic and/or communication devices.

0007In one embodiment of the disclosed technique, a method is provided that includes defining a region, and defining a condition for the region. The method also includes detecting the presence and location of a communicator and the condition in the region and associating the condition with the communicator. A message is sent to the communicator, the message including a request for a response. If a response is received accepting the content of the message, a first action is executed. If a response accepting the content of the message is not received, a second action is executed.

0008The region may be defined in physical space.

0009The communicator may be a phone, a personal data assistant, a tablet, a laptop computer, and/or a head mounted display.

0010The condition may be a capability of the communicator. The capability may be video recording capability, still image recording capability, audio recording capability, audio output capability, text messaging capability, audio communication capability, and/or remote connection capability.

0011The method may include defining limiting parameters for executing the actor input, executing the actor input within the parameters, and detecting the actor input within the parameters.

0012The message may include a yes/no option. The message may include a request for permission to deactivate a capability of the communicator.

0013The first action may include deactivating a capability of the communicator. Deactivating the capability of the communicator may include sending a deactivation instruction to the communicator. The capability may be video recording capability, still image recording capability, audio recording capability, audio output capability, text messaging capability, audio communication capability, and/or remote connection capability.

0014The second action may include generating a notification noting the lack of a response including acceptance and the location of the communicator. The second action may also include communicating the notification to a recipient. The recipient may include a video display, an audio speaker, and/or a data store.

0015Detecting the presence of the condition may include querying the communicator for the presence of the condition therein.

0016The method may include defining first and second regions, and defining the condition for the first and second regions. The method may include detecting the presence and location of the communicator within the first and second regions, and detecting the presence and location of the condition in the first and second regions. When the communicator is in the first region, a first message is sent to the communicator. When the communicator is in the second region, a second message is sent to the communicator, the second message including the request for response. The first action is executed if a response including acceptance of the content of the message is received; a second action is executed if a response including acceptance of the content of the message is not received.

0017The first message may include an advisory regarding the condition.

0018The method may include executing a third action when the presence of the communicator is no longer detected in the region. The first action may include deactivating a capability of the communicator, and the third action may include reactivating that capability of the communicator.

0019In another embodiment of the disclosed technique, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor, a sensor in communication with the processor, and a first communicator in communication with the processor. The processor is adapted to define a region and to define a condition for the region. The sensor is adapted to detect the presence and location of a second communicator in the region, and to detect the presence and location of the condition in the region. The processor is further adapted to associate the condition with the second communicator. The first communicator is adapted to send a message to the second communicator, the message including a request for a response to the message, and to receive the response. The processor is further adapted to execute a first action if an acceptance response to the message is received, and to execute a second action if an acceptance response to the message is not received.

0020The apparatus may include a recipient in communication with the processor, with the processor being adapted to generate a notification if the acceptance response is not received, and the recipient being adapted to receive the notification from the processor.

0021In another embodiment of the disclosed technique, an apparatus is provided that includes means for defining a region, means for defining a condition for the region, means for detecting the presence and location of a communicator in the region, means for detecting the presence and location of the condition in the region, means for associating the condition with the communicator, means for sending a message to the communicator with the message including a request for a response to the message, means for receiving the response, means for executing a first action if a response is received including acceptance of the content of the message, and means for executing a second action if a response including acceptance is not received.

0022In another embodiment of the disclosed technique, a method is provided that includes instantiating in a processor executable instructions for the processor to define a region, instantiating in the processor executable instructions for the processor to define a condition for the region, instantiating in the processor executable instructions for the processor to instruct a sensor in communication with the processor to detect the presence and location of a second communicator in the region, instantiating in the processor executable instructions for the processor to instruct the sensor to detect the presence and location of the condition in the region, instantiating in the processor executable instructions for the processor to associate the condition with the second communicator, instantiating in the processor executable instructions for the processor to instruct a first communicator in communication with the processor to send a message to the second communicator with the message including a request for a response to the message, instantiating in the processor executable instructions for the processor to instruct the first communicator to receive the response, instantiating in the processor executable instructions for the processor to execute a first action if an acceptance response to the message is received, and instantiating in the processor executable instructions for the processor to execute a second action if the acceptance response is not received.

0023In another embodiment of the disclosed technique, a method is provided that includes storing in a data store executable instructions for a processor to define a region, storing in the data store executable instructions for the processor to define a condition for the region, storing in the data store executable instructions for the processor to instruct a sensor in communication with the processor to detect the presence and location of a second communicator in the region, storing in the data store executable instructions for the processor to instruct the sensor to detect the presence and location of the condition in the region, storing in the data store executable instructions for the processor to associate the condition with the second communicator, storing in the data store executable instructions for the processor to instruct a first communicator in communication with the processor to send a message to the second communicator with the message including a request for a response to the message, storing in the data store executable instructions for the processor to instruct the first communicator to receive the response, storing in the data store executable instructions for the processor to execute a first action if an acceptance response to the message is received, and storing in the data store executable instructions for the processor to execute a second action if the acceptance response is not received.

0024In another embodiment of the disclosed technique, a method is provided that includes defining a region in physical space. The method also includes defining a condition for the region, the condition including a capability of a communicator, the capability including video recording capability, still image recording capability, audio recording capability, audio output capability, text messaging capability, audio communication capability, and/or remote connection capability. The method further includes detecting the presence and location of the communicator with the condition in the region, and sending a message to the communicator with the message including a request for a response including acceptance or rejection of deactivation of the capability of the communicator. If an acceptance response is received, the capability is deactivated. If an acceptance response is not received, a notification is generated including the lack of the acceptance response and the location of the communicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

0025Like reference numbers generally indicate corresponding elements in the figures.

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>B</figref> shows an example embodiment of a method for obtaining opt-in compliance with regulations, in accordance with the disclosed technique.

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>B</figref> shows another example embodiment of a method for obtaining opt-in compliance with regulations, in accordance with the disclosed technique.

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> shows a schematic arrangement of an apparatus in accordance with the disclosed technique.

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref> shows an example arrangement an apparatus in accordance with the disclosed technique.

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref> shows another example arrangement an apparatus in accordance with the disclosed technique.

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>6</b></figref> is a block diagram of a processing system that can implement operations of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0032Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>B</figref>, a method of obtaining opt-in compliance with regulations is shown therein.

0033Beginning with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref>, in the example method shown therein a region is defined <b>104</b>. The region defined may be an area of physical space, for example the interior of a building such as a theater or restaurant, the cabin of an aircraft, a portion of a street or other public space, etc. The region may be three dimensional, such as a volume occupied by a room or rooms on a single floor of a building. However, the region may also be substantially two dimensional, for example having a defined “footprint” but no specifically defined maximum or minimum height. Other arrangements may be equally suitable; the disclosed technique is not particularly limited with regard to the details of the defined region.

0034It may not be necessary for the regions to have sharp or absolute boundaries, or fixed boundaries. Uncertainty in the position of boundaries for a region, “fuzziness” in terms of whether, along the boundaries, a particular location is inside or outside of the region, and/or variation in position of boundaries of a region over time may be permissible for at least certain embodiments.

0035The method also includes defining a condition <b>106</b>. Typically, although not necessarily, the condition will be a capability of a portable electronic communications device. For example, the condition might be a capability for recording video. That is, the condition would be met by (for example) the presence of a portable electronic device capable of recording video. Other possible conditions include, but are not limited to, a capability for recording still images, a capability for recording audio, a capability for outputting audio, a capability for sending and/or receiving text messages, a capability for sending and/or receiving audio communications (e.g. telephone conversations), and a capability for making and/or utilizing remote data connections (e.g. internet service). However, these conditions are examples only, and other conditions may be equally suitable.

0036Typically, such conditions will be associated with regulations that are applicable within the defined region. That is, a region defined within a movie theater might have a regulation prohibiting audible cell phone ring tones, and the condition may be defined <b>106</b> as a capability to emit audible ring tones. It is noted that although certain examples presented herein refer specifically to prohibitions of certain actions, the disclosed technique is not limited only to regulations that constitute prohibitions.

0037Continuing with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref>, if a communicator is present, that communicator is detected and located <b>108</b>.

0038The disclosed technique is not particularly limited as to the type of communicator that may be present. As the term “communicator” is used herein, a communicator is a device or system that enables communication between that device and some other communications device or system. Typically, though not necessarily, the communicator may be a portable electronic communication device such as a cell phone, pager, tablet, PDA, laptop computer, head mounted display, etc. However, other arrangements may be equally suitable.

0039Also, the disclosed technique is not particularly limited as to a manner by which the communicator is detected and located. It will be understood that approaches for detecting and locating a particular communicator will depend at least in part on the nature of the communicator, including but not limited to the manner by which that communicator communicates. For example, for a cell phone, detection and location might be accomplished by sensing radio signals from the cell phone so as to determine the presence of a cell phone, and by triangulating from two or more sensors to determine the location of the cell phone. However, this is an example only, and other arrangements, including but not limited to GPS, differential GPS, and optical identification, may be equally suitable.

0040Moreover, it is noted that the disclosed technique is not necessarily limited only to detecting communicators that are within the region. Detecting and/or locating communicators outside the region, while not required, is permissible.

0041Returning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref>, if the condition defined in step <b>106</b> is present, the condition is detected and located <b>110</b>.

0042As with detecting and locating the communicator, the disclosed technique is not particularly limited as to a manner by which the condition is detected and located. It will be understood that approaches for detecting and locating a particular condition will depend at least in part on the nature of the condition that is to be detected, as defined in step <b>106</b>. For example, given an embodiment wherein the condition defined in step <b>106</b> is the capability for flash photography, flash cameras might be detected by using image sensors to detect the flash itself and the location of that flash. Alternately, image sensors might be used in combination with object recognition algorithms so as to visually identify the presence and location of a photograph flash unit whether or not the flash is used. As yet another approach, for certain conditions it may be possible to query the source of the condition itself, e.g. transmitting a query to a head mounted display as to whether that display has video recording capability, and if so whether that video recording capability is currently on.

0043It is noted that the disclosed technique is not necessarily limited only to detecting defined conditions that are within the region. Detecting and/or locating defined conditions outside the region, while not required, is permissible.

0044In addition, it is noted that for some embodiments, the condition may be integral to a particular communicator. For example, if the condition defined in step <b>106</b> is the capability to generate audible cell phone ring tones (as might be of concern for example in a movie theater), then the communicator and the condition—that is, a cell phone and the cell phone's ability to generate audible ring tones—may be linked such that in detecting and locating the communicator in step <b>108</b>, the condition likewise is detected and located <b>110</b>. Thus, for certain embodiments step <b>110</b> may be combined with step <b>108</b>, and/or detecting and locating a communicator <b>108</b> may use similar or even identical approaches to detecting and locating the condition <b>110</b> itself.

0045However, such integral linking of the communicator with the condition may not exist for all embodiments. To return to the example of flash photography, assuming the flash camera is not itself a communicator, then detecting and locating communicator(s) <b>108</b> present within the region might then be distinct from detecting and locating instances of the condition <b>106</b> present within the region.

0046Furthermore, it is noted that determining a location of a communicator and/or a condition does not necessarily imply determining location in the form of a precise set of physical coordinates, or otherwise identifying a specific location in space. Rather, two factors are sufficient to determine location for the purposes of the disclosed technique.

0047First, whether a communicator and/or a condition is inside the region. As previously noted, some uncertainty and/or variability in the boundaries of the region is not excluded. Thus, some degree of uncertainty or variability in such determinations, at least near the boundaries of the region, may also exist, and is not precluded from the disclosed technique. Regardless of whether a determination is perfect or absolute, it must be possible to obtain some determination as to whether a communicator and/or a condition is within the region or not.

0048Second, whether a communicator can be located sufficiently as to send a message thereto. For this purpose, it may not be necessary to determine a physical location of the communicator at all, so long as some other arrangement—for example, determining the cell phone number, identifying communication protocols, even merely determining an appropriate frequency for wireless communication, may be sufficient. While determining a location in space for the communicator is not excluded, determining precise locations is not required, and determining location at all may not be required for some embodiments.

0049Again with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref>, the condition is associated with the communicator <b>112</b>. To continue the example of flash photography above, if a communicator such as a cell phone is detected and located in step <b>108</b>, and a flash photograph or a flash capable camera is detected and located in step <b>110</b>, then an association (if any) between the cell phone and the flash camera is to be determined. That is, the flash camera (condition) carried by a user thereof is associated <b>112</b> with the cell phone (communicator) carried by that user.

0050Typically, although not necessarily, it may be determined that a condition and a communicator are associated by determining the relative position thereof. If, for example, a flash camera is located at substantially the same position as a cell phone, or is some relatively short distance away (e.g. a few tens of centimeters), then for some embodiments it may be concluded that the camera and the cell phone are associated, presumably being carried by the same person.

0051However, other arrangements may be equally suitable. For example, visual detection and location of the communicator and/or the condition may reveal whether the communicator and the condition are associated.

0052In addition, it is possible, at least for some embodiments, that a communicator and a condition may not be associated. That is, a condition may exist at a certain location without a communicator being present at that location, and/or a communicator may exist at a certain location without the defined condition being present at that location. In such instance, step <b>112</b> may not take place, as there would be no association to be made.

0053Moving on in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref>, a determination is made as to whether the communicator and condition are present within the region <b>118</b>. As noted, one or both of a communicator and a condition may be present, and may be present within a region, but unless both communicator and condition are present within the region and communicator and condition are associated with one another, the outcome of step <b>118</b> is no. If the outcome of the determination <b>118</b> is no, then the method returns to step <b>108</b>. That is, if a communicator and associated condition are not found within the region, the method continues to search for associations of a communicator and the defined condition within the region.

0054Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>B</figref>, if the outcome of the determination <b>118</b> is yes, a message is sent <b>120</b> to the communicator. The message includes a request for a response therein.

0055Typically, though not necessarily, the message will include content that announces a regulation relevant to the particular embodiment. For example, if video recording is prohibited within a given region, and the condition is defined <b>106</b> as a capability for video recording, the message might include a statement to the effect that video recording is prohibited within the region.

0056In addition, as noted above, the message includes a request for a response, typically a yes/no request for compliance with the regulation, and/or a yes/no request for acceptance of a temporary deactivation of the condition in question while in the region. To continue with the example, the message might include an “opt-in” query asking whether the communicator and/or the user will accept a temporary deactivation of video recording capabilities while in the region.

0057Typically, the message will be addressed to a user of a device. For example, a text message might be delivered to a cell phone, with a query to the user asking whether he or she will opt-in to deactivation of cell service, audible ring tones, etc. while in the region. However, for some embodiments it may be equally suitable if the message is addressed instead to an operating system or other set of executable instructions operating on a device, in addition to or in place of contacting the user directly. That is, a user might authorize the operating system of a device to automatically accept such messages, to automatically accept such messages under certain conditions (e.g. always when on commercial aircraft, or always when inside a particular business), etc.

0058Moving on in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>B</figref>, a determination is then made <b>122</b> as to whether a response accepting the message content is received or not. That is, for an arrangement wherein the message asked a user to opt-in to a deactivation of (for example) video recording, whether the user accepted to the deactivation of video recording capability.

0059Receipt of a positive, opt-in response is of substance for step <b>122</b>. Embodiments of the disclosed technique may or may not distinguish between cases wherein a response is received rejecting the message content, and cases wherein no response is received or a response is received but not understood.

0060If an opt-in response is determined to have been received in step <b>122</b>, a first action is executed <b>124</b>. Typically, though not necessarily, the first action will include removing or deactivating the defined condition. For example, if the defined condition is a capability for video recording, the first action may include remote deactivation of the video recording capability.

0061The disclosed technique is not particularly limited as to the manner in which the condition is removed or deactivated. It will be understood that the manner for removing or deactivating the defined condition will depend to at least some extent on the particulars of the defined condition.

0062As previously described, the condition and the communicator may be linked in some instances. For example, the communicator might be a cell phone or head mounted display, with the condition being the video recording capability of the cell phone or head mounted display. In such instances, the condition may be removed or deactivated by addressing the communicator. For example, the first action may be executed by sending executable instructions to the cell phone, head mounted display, etc. that has the capability for recording video to shut down that video recording capability.

0063However, other arrangements may be equally suitable.

0064Typically, such removal or deactivation of the condition is temporary, being maintained only so long as the user, device, etc. is present within the region. To continue the example above, when the user, device, etc. is determined to have left the region, additional executable instructions may for example be sent to the cell phone, head mounted display, etc. to reactivate the video recording capability thereof.

0065Note that deactivation of a capability does not necessarily imply complete deactivation of a device possessing that capability, or deactivation of related capabilities. For example, a cell phone might be instructed to shut off audible ring tones, but still permit sending and receiving calls, text messages, etc. As another example, a tablet might have the capability to send or receive communications deactivated, while the ability to play video and music, run stored programs, etc. is unaffected. In addition, deactivation of a capability need not be absolute. For example, an instruction might be sent to a cell phone to generally prohibit making outgoing calls while in the region, but to still permit emergency services calls such as 9-1-1 to be made.

0066The first action is not limited only to deactivation or removal of the condition. For example, the first action might include an additional message confirming shut-down of the capability, thanking the user for complying with the regulation, etc.

0067Other actions might include logging a record of the user's opt-in. For example, if a user violates a regulation that they had previously accepted, and for which a record of the user's opt-in is logged, argument as to whether the user was aware of the regulation may be avoided.

0068In particular, logging may be useful for instances when removing or deactivating the condition is impossible or otherwise undesirable. For example, in a region where flash photography is prohibited, remote deactivation of the flash unit on a camera may not be possible unless the camera has remote communication capabilities. Nevertheless, the disclosed technique may be used to obtain opt-in acceptance from users of a policy prohibiting flash photography, with the user's acceptance then being logged.

0069In addition, in instances wherein removal or deactivation of the condition is impractical or impossible, logging may also serve as a source of information for other enforcement efforts. To continue the example above, a staff member in the region wherein flash photography is prohibited might be advised as to the presence and location of an individual with an active flash camera, so as to better monitor the individual and prevent the use of the flash.

0070Returning to the determination of acceptance in step <b>122</b>, if a response accepting the message is not received, a second action is executed <b>126</b>.

0071Typically, though not necessarily, the second action will include generating a notification that a communicator and the defined condition are associated together and are present within the region, and that an acceptance of compliance with the relevant regulation has not been received. For example, if the defined condition is a capability for video recording, the second action may include generation of a notification that a capability for video recording existing in the region, the location of that capability and/or the location of the associated communicator (if the two locations are different), and information that remote deactivation of the video recording capability was refused (or at least that acceptance of deactivation was not received).

0072Another option for the second action, in addition to or in place of generating a notification, might be to send an additional message to the communicator (and thus to a user thereof) that they are in violation of local regulations, and requesting that they either comply or exit. Alternately, a message might also include information regarding how to obtain an exception. For example, while the operators of a restaurant might prefer to prohibit cell phone calls and text messaging, the operators might consider permitting physicians to retain the ability to connect for phone and text communication in the event of an emergency.

0073Yet another option for the second action is to output the notification to a recipient, such as a video screen, either fixed (e.g. the monitor of a PC) or portable (e.g. a tablet or cell phone screen). Other display outputs might include audio signals, vibrations (i.e. for a pager or cell phone), indicator lights, text messages, etc. By displaying the information, staff or other persons present within the region can be readily made aware of the presence and location of a potential or actual violation of the regulation behind the defined condition. For example, on an aircraft in flight the crew could be made aware that an electronic communication device is in operation on board. The notification may also be communicated to other systems, recorded in a data store, etc.

0074These are examples only, and other arrangements may also be equally suitable.

0075Once the first action has been executed <b>124</b> or the second action has been executed <b>126</b> for a particular communicator and condition, the method returns to step <b>108</b>. That is, the method continues to search for associations of a communicator and the defined condition in the region.

0076Typically, though not necessarily, the method may not repeat with respect to an individual communicator and condition. That is, once a response to the message has been obtained with opt-in to the regulation, additional messages requesting opt-in may not be necessary (i.e. so as not to “spam” users or devices unnecessarily). Typically, though again not necessarily, an opt-in request message will be sent when the communicator and condition are first sensed within the region, i.e. when a user first enters the region or when the user first exhibits the condition in question. However, repeating opt-in request messages, and/or sending other messages, also is not excluded, nor is a delay in sending an opt-in request message excluded.

0077For example, reminder messages might be sent periodically if the communicator subsequently remains within the region for some significant time. As a more concrete example, a user viewing a double feature in a theater might be reminded that their video recording capability is inactive after the first film is complete. Likewise, a user who attempts to reactive video recording capability while still within the region might also be reminded that video recording is prohibited therein. Alternately, if the region and/or condition are defined and/or imposed and/or changed with the user already present in the space occupied by the region, new opt-in request messages might be sent then.

0078As noted, other messages also may be sent. In particular, an additional third message might be sent when the communicator is no longer within the region. For example, a third message might indicate that the user may now reactivate video recording capability, that their video recording capability has been reactivated (presumably combined with actual reactivation of video recording capability), etc.

0079As may be seen from the example embodiment of a method according to the disclosed technique shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>B</figref>, the disclosed technique provides an arrangement for individually contacting users within a defined region, and obtaining consent from those users to comply with regulations such as prohibition of cell use, prohibition of video recording, etc. If established as an embodiment that facilitates automatic use, for example utilizing an electronic data processor capable of following executable instructions to scan a defined region for a communicator associated with a defined condition, such an embodiment of the disclosed technique may support automatically obtaining compliance from all persons with a communicator and meeting the defined condition within the region. Thus, such an embodiment could support individual attention to each person within the region, to support compliance by each such individual.

0080With regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>B</figref>, the embodiment described therein utilizes a single region. However, other arrangements may be equally suitable. For example, different regulations might be applied to different regions, even within a single store, building, park, etc. Thus, for some embodiments it may be useful to define multiple regions, each region having its own condition or conditions defined therefor.

0081In addition, for certain embodiments it may be useful to define multiple regions addressing the same regulation. For example, an outer first region might be defined for advising persons therein of regulations that are in place nearby, with an inner second region defined for obtaining opt-in compliance with those same regulations. A method for a two-region system along such lines is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>B</figref>.

0082With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>A</figref>, a first region is defined <b>202</b>. For convenient this first region may also be referred to as an outer region, though this does not necessarily imply a particular geometry.

0083A second region is also defined <b>204</b>. Again, for convenience this second region may be referred to as an inner region, though again this does not necessarily imply a particular geometry.

0084A condition is defined <b>206</b>, the condition being defined as applicable to a regulation imposed within the first and/or second regions. Typically, though not necessarily, the condition will be defined for a regulation that is mandatory within the inner second region, and that is optional or does not apply within the outer first region (but that may be noteworthy as an advisory, for example due to proximity with the inner second region).

0085If communicators are present, the communicators are detected and located <b>208</b>. If the condition is present, the condition also is detected and located <b>210</b>. If necessary, the condition is associated with any communicators <b>212</b> that were detected in step <b>208</b>.

0086Continuing in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>A</figref>, a determination is made <b>214</b> as to whether a communicator and the condition are present within the first (outer) region. If the outcome of the determination is yes, that is, a communicator and the condition are both present in the first region and are associated with one another, then a first message is sent <b>216</b> to the communicator.

0087Typically, though not necessarily, the first message will include content that announces a regulation relevant to the particular embodiment, and/or that includes information regarding where the regulation applies. For example, if video recording is prohibited within the second (inner) region, and the condition is defined <b>206</b> as a capability for video recording, the first message might include a statement to the effect that video recording is prohibited in a nearby area. The first message might define and/or describe the area, and or may include additional information, such as where to go or who to contact to request an exception, a description of consequences of violation of the regulation, an explanation of the reasoning behind the regulation, etc.

0088The first message does not necessarily require a response, though a first message that requests or requires a response also is not prohibited.

0089Referring again to step <b>214</b>, it is noted that for the outcome to be yes, both a communicator and the condition must be present and associated with one another. In practice, instances may occur of either a communicator or a condition being present but not both, or a communicator and a condition both being present but not being associated (i.e. a communicator might be on one person, while another person some distance away might be fulfilling the condition). Unless both communicator and condition are present within the region and communicator and condition are associated with one another, the outcome of step <b>214</b> is no.

0090If the outcome of step <b>214</b> is no, the method proceeds to step <b>218</b>.

0091In step <b>218</b>, a determination is made as to whether the communicator and condition are present within the second (outer) region <b>218</b>. Unless both communicator and condition are present within the region and communicator and condition are associated with one another, the outcome of step <b>218</b> is no. If the outcome of the determination <b>218</b> is no, then the method returns to step <b>208</b>. That is, if a communicator and associated condition are not found within the second region (and having not been found in the first region in step <b>214</b>), the method continues to search for associations of a communicator and the defined condition in the first and second regions.

0092Typically, though not necessarily, the method may not repeat individual first and second messages with respect to an individual communicator and condition. That is, once a first message has been sent, additional first messages may not be necessary. Likewise, once a response to the second message has been obtained with opt-in to the regulation, additional second messages requesting opt-in also may not be necessary.

0093Typically, though again not necessarily, a first message will be sent when the communicator and condition are initially sensed within the first region, i.e. when a user enters the first region or when the user initially exhibits the condition in question. Likewise, typically although not necessarily an opt-in request second message will be sent when the communicator and condition are initially sensed within the second region, i.e. when a user enters the second region or when the user initially exhibits the condition in question. However, repeating first messages, repeating opt-in request second messages, and/or sending other messages, also is not excluded, nor is a delay in sending first or second messages excluded.

0094Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>B</figref>, if the outcome of the determination in step <b>218</b> is yes, a second message is sent <b>220</b> to the communicator. The second message includes a request for a response therein.

0095A determination is then made <b>222</b> as to whether a response accepting the second message content is received or not. That is, for an arrangement wherein the message asked a user to opt-in to a deactivation of (for example) video recording, did the user respond that deactivation of video recording capability is accepted, or not?

0096If an opt-in response is determined to have been received in step <b>222</b>, a first action is executed <b>224</b>. Typically, though not necessarily, the first action will include removing or deactivating the defined condition. For example, if the defined condition is a capability for video recording, the first action may include remote deactivation of the video recording capability.

0097If a response accepting the message is determined in step <b>222</b> not to have been received, a second action is executed <b>126</b>. Typically, though not necessarily, the second action will include generating a notification that a communicator and the defined condition are associated together and are present within the second region, and that an acceptance of compliance with the relevant regulation has not been received. For example, if the defined condition is a capability for video recording, the second action may include generation of a notification that a capability for video recording existing in the second region, the location of that capability and/or the location of the associated communicator (if the two locations are different), and information that remote deactivation of the video recording capability was refused (or at least that acceptance of deactivation was not received).

0098Once the first action has been executed <b>224</b> or the second action has been executed <b>226</b> for a particular communicator and condition, the method returns to step <b>208</b>. That is, the method continues to search for associations of a communicator and the defined condition in the first and second regions.

0099Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref>, a schematic arrangement is shown therein for an example embodiment of an apparatus according to the disclosed technique.

0100The embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> includes a processor <b>352</b>, a sensor <b>354</b> in communication with the processor <b>352</b>, and a first communicator <b>356</b> in communication with the processor <b>352</b>.

0101The processor <b>352</b> is adapted to define a region, and to define a condition for the region. The sensor <b>354</b> is adapted to detect a presence and a location of a second communicator (not shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref>), and to detect a presence and a location of a condition. (Keeping in mind previous comments made with regard to possible uncertainty in precise location.) The processor <b>352</b> is further adapted to associate the condition with the second communicator.

0102The first communicator <b>356</b> is adapted to send a message to the second communicator, the message including a request for a response to said message. The first communicator <b>356</b> is also adapted to receive a response from the second communicator.

0103In addition, the processor <b>352</b> is adapted to execute a first action if an acceptance response to the message is received, and to execute a second action if an acceptance response is not received.

0104A range of general-purpose, special-purpose, and embedded systems may be suitable for use as the processor <b>352</b>. Moreover, it may be equally suitable for the processor <b>352</b> to consist of two or more physical or logical processor components.

0105A range of devices also may be suitable for use as the sensor <b>354</b>. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref>, the sensor <b>354</b> is shown with an outline of a compact digital camera, adapted to capture images and/or video. Use of cameras, including but not limited to CMOS and CCD cameras, may be suitable for certain embodiments. However, other sensors, including but not limited to radio-based sensors adapted to detect signals from wireless communication devices such as cell phones, tablets, head mounted displays, etc., may also be equally suitable. In addition, for certain embodiments a sensor <b>354</b> may not necessarily be a physical sensing device. For example, software and/or hardware adapted to transmit and receive queries and/or other information from one wireless device to another, may be adequate to identify and/or locate second communicators and their capabilities (i.e. whether those capabilities meet the defined condition) by “asking” the second communicators about the second communicators' function, capability, location, etc.

0106Similarly, a range of devices may be suitable for use as first communicators <b>356</b>. As illustrated, the first communicator <b>356</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> is a wireless communicator adapted to utilize radio waves for communicating with cell phones, tablets, head mounted displays, etc., but this is an example only, and other arrangements may be equally suitable.

0107It is noted that while the first communicator <b>356</b> is an element of the apparatus according to the disclosed technique shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref>, second communicators—not shown and not numbered in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref>, but referred to herein—are not part of the disclosed technique. Rather, second communicators are communicators that are to be detected and located within the defined region.

0108The example embodiment in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> also includes a recipient <b>358</b>. A recipient <b>358</b> is an optional element, and may not be present in all embodiments. A recipient <b>358</b> functions to receive information from the processor <b>352</b>, sensor <b>354</b>, and/or first communicator <b>356</b>; the recipient <b>358</b> may also perform some additional function with such information, such as displaying the information in a visible or audible form, recording the information in a data store, etc. The recipient <b>358</b>, if present, may take various forms depending on the embodiment. For example, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> the recipient <b>358</b> may be a display screen, but other arrangements, including but not limited to an audio speaker, a hard drive or other data storage system, etc. may be equally suitable.

0109The manner by which the processor <b>352</b> is in communication with the sensor <b>354</b>, the first communicator <b>356</b>, and (if present) the recipient <b>358</b> is not particularly limited. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref>, components are shown to communicate by wire link, but other arrangements, including but not limited to wireless communication, may be equally suitable. Likewise, although the processor <b>352</b>, sensor <b>354</b>, first communicator <b>356</b>, and (if present) recipient <b>358</b> are shown grouped together in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref>, individual elements of the apparatus may be separated from one another in other embodiments.

0110Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref>, therein is shown an example embodiment of the disclosed technique in use. In the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref>, the apparatus includes a processor <b>452</b>, a sensor <b>454</b>, a first communicator <b>456</b>, and a recipient <b>458</b>. As noted previously, the elements of the apparatus may be separated; as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref>, the sensor <b>454</b> is a significant distance from the processor <b>452</b>, first communicator <b>456</b>, and recipient <b>458</b>.

0111A region <b>460</b> is defined by the apparatus. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref> the region <b>460</b> is a circle of space though in other embodiments the shape, size, arrangement, etc. of the region <b>460</b> may vary. In addition, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref>, the sensor <b>454</b> is disposed so as to be substantially centered within the region <b>460</b>. However, this is an example only, and the sensor <b>454</b> may be disposed elsewhere with respect to the region <b>460</b>, including but not limited to be disposed outside the region <b>460</b>.

0112<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref> also shows a second communicator <b>464</b>, the second communicator <b>464</b> being disposed within the region <b>460</b>. As noted previously, the second communicator <b>464</b> is not necessarily part of the apparatus; the second communicator <b>464</b> is shown here for clarity, as the disclosed technique functions in part to detect and locate second communicators <b>464</b>, e.g. within a defined region <b>460</b>.

0113As also noted, the disclosed technique also detects and locates a defined condition, e.g. within a defined region. Unless otherwise specified herein, with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref> (and subsequent <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref>) it should be understood that for purposes of explanation the second communicator <b>464</b> is assumed to also satisfy the defined condition, e.g. the second communicator <b>464</b> has video recording capability, etc.

0114Thus, in operation the apparatus would detect and locate the second communicator <b>464</b>, would detect and locate the condition as associated with the second communicator <b>464</b>, and would send a message to the second communicator <b>464</b> as previously described with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>B</figref>, requesting opt-in (for example) to deactivate the video recording capability of the second communicator <b>464</b>, as also described with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b>B</figref>.

0115Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref>, therein is shown another example embodiment of the disclosed technique in use. In the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref>, the apparatus includes a processor <b>552</b>, a sensor <b>554</b>, a first communicator <b>556</b>, and a recipient <b>558</b>.

0116In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref>, a second (inner) region <b>560</b> is defined by the apparatus. In addition, a first (outer) region <b>562</b> also is defined. As illustrated the first and second regions <b>562</b> and <b>560</b> are concentric with the first region <b>562</b> fully enclosing the second region <b>560</b>, but this is an example only and other arrangements may be equally suitable.

0117<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref> also shows two second communicators <b>564</b>A and <b>564</b>B, with second communicator <b>564</b>A being disposed within the first region <b>460</b> and second communicator <b>564</b>B being disposed within the second region <b>462</b>. The second communicators <b>564</b>A and <b>564</b>B are not necessarily part of the apparatus, but are shown here for clarity.

0118In operation the apparatus would detect and locate second communicator <b>564</b>A within the second region, would detect and locate the condition as associated with second communicator <b>564</b>A, and would send a second message to second communicator <b>564</b>A as previously described with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>B</figref>, requesting opt-in (for example) to deactivate the video recording capability of second communicator <b>564</b>A, as also described with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>B</figref>.

0119In addition, the apparatus would detect and locate second communicator <b>564</b>B within the first region, would detect and locate the condition as associated with second communicator <b>564</b>B, and would send a first message to second communicator <b>564</b>B as previously described with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b>B</figref>.

0120<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>6</b></figref> is a block diagram of an apparatus that may perform various operations, and store various information generated and/or used by such operations, according to an embodiment of the disclosed technique. The apparatus can represent any computer or processing system described herein. The processing system <b>600</b> is a hardware device on which any of the entities, components or services depicted in the examples of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>5</b></figref> (and any other components described in this specification) can be implemented. The processing system <b>600</b> includes one or more processors <b>605</b> and memory <b>610</b> coupled to an interconnect <b>615</b>. The interconnect <b>615</b> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>6</b></figref> as an abstraction that represents any one or more separate physical buses, point to point connections, or both connected by appropriate bridges, adapters, or controllers. The interconnect <b>615</b>, therefore, may include, for example, a system bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or PCI-Express bus, a HyperTransport or industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, a universal serial bus (USB), IIC (I2C) bus, or an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 1394 bus, also called “Firewire”.

0121The processor(s) <b>605</b> is/are the central processing unit (CPU) of the processing system <b>600</b> and, thus, control the overall operation of the processing system <b>600</b>. In certain embodiments, the processor(s) <b>605</b> accomplish this by executing software or firmware stored in memory <b>610</b>. The processor(s) <b>605</b> may be, or may include, one or more programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable controllers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), trusted platform modules (TPMs), or the like, or a combination of such devices.

0122The memory <b>610</b> is or includes the main memory of the processing system <b>600</b>. The memory <b>610</b> represents any form of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, or the like, or a combination of such devices. In use, the memory <b>610</b> may contain a code. In one embodiment, the code includes a general programming module configured to recognize the general-purpose program received via the computer bus interface, and prepare the general-purpose program for execution at the processor. In another embodiment, the general programming module may be implemented using hardware circuitry such as ASICs, PLDs, or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

0123Also connected to the processor(s) <b>605</b> through the interconnect <b>615</b> are a network adapter <b>630</b>, a storage device(s) <b>620</b> and I/O device(s) <b>625</b>. The network adapter <b>630</b> provides the processing system <b>600</b> with the ability to communicate with remote devices, over a network and may be, for example, an Ethernet adapter or Fibre Channel adapter. The network adapter <b>630</b> may also provide the processing system <b>600</b> with the ability to communicate with other computers within the cluster. In some embodiments, the processing system <b>600</b> may use more than one network adapter to deal with the communications within and outside of the cluster separately.

0124The I/O device(s) <b>625</b> can include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other input and/or output devices, including a display device. The display device can include, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known or convenient display device.

0125The code stored in memory <b>610</b> can be implemented as software and/or firmware to program the processor(s) <b>605</b> to carry out actions described above. In certain embodiments, such software or firmware may be initially provided to the processing system <b>600</b> by downloading it from a remote system through the processing system <b>600</b> (e.g., via network adapter <b>630</b>).

0126The techniques introduced herein can be implemented by, for example, programmable circuitry (e.g., one or more microprocessors) programmed with software and/or firmware, or entirely in special-purpose hardwired (non-programmable) circuitry, or in a combination of such forms. Special-purpose hardwired circuitry may be in the form of, for example, one or more ASICs, PLDs, FPGAs, etc.

0127Software or firmware for use in implementing the techniques introduced here may be stored on a machine-readable storage medium and may be executed by one or more general-purpose or special-purpose programmable microprocessors. A “machine-readable storage medium”, as the term is used herein, includes any mechanism that can store information in a form accessible by a machine.

0128A machine can also be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, an iPhone, a Blackberry, a processor, a telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

0129A machine-accessible storage medium or a storage device(s) <b>620</b> includes, for example, recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., ROM; RAM; magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; etc.), etc., or any combination thereof. The storage medium typically may be non-transitory or include a non-transitory device. In this context, a non-transitory storage medium may include a device that is tangible, meaning that the device has a concrete physical form, although the device may change its physical state. Thus, for example, non-transitory refers to a device remaining tangible despite this change in state.

0130The term “logic”, as used herein, can include, for example, programmable circuitry programmed with specific software and/or firmware, special-purpose hardwired circuitry, or a combination thereof.

0131The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.